LEON ROBERT MARTIN

Leon Robert Martin, 90, of the Grantham community, went to be with his Lord and Savior Friday, May 30, 2008 at home surrounded by his family.

The funeral will be held Monday evening at 7 p.m. at the chapel of Howell Funeral Home and Crematory. The Revs. James Corbett and Jimmy Price will officiate. A graveside service will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Bethany and Friends Cemetery in Princeton.

Mr. Martin was born in Johnston County on Dec. 23, 1917, to the late Lewis "Bob" and Minnie Wright Martin. He was a member of Riverside Free Will Baptist Church in Princeton, where he was a dedicated servant for his Lord.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Meta Keppler Martin; three children, Hilda G. Zimmer and her husband, Phil, of Garner, Leon G. Martin and his wife, Dawn, of Goldsboro and Durwood G. Martin and his wife, Jeannie, of Raleigh; four step-children, Brenda "Susie" Hix of the home, Charles Hix and his wife, Sandra, of Goldsboro, Walter Hix and his wife, Pat, of Goldsboro and Rita McCullen and her husband, Mike, of Mount Olive; one sister, Kate Mooring of El Cajon, California; ten grandchildren; three step grandchildren, including Bradley Harper of the home, and nineteen great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Martin was preceded in death by two sisters, Erma McGee and Ethel Stanley.